We’ve all been told that saving money is the way to build wealth.
Cut expenses, skip the latte, hunt for the cheapest deals… and one day, you’ll be rich.

But what if I told you that being cheap can actually keep you poor? 🤯

This isn’t about reckless spending or living beyond your means.
It’s about recognizing that a poverty mindset—the kind that keeps you clinging to every penny—can actually close doors to:

  • 🚪 Opportunities

  • 🤝 Relationships

  • 📈 Long-term wealth

Today, we’ll explore:

  • How cheapness differs from smart spending

  • Why it can hurt your financial growth

  • How shifting your mindset can lead to more success both personally and professionally

🧠 The Poverty Mindset vs. the Wealth Mindset

A successful entrepreneur once shared a lesson that completely shifted the way I thought about spending money:

“Never take long vacations just because you’ve already paid for the flight. Work hard, play hard… but don’t play for too long. Take just enough time to recharge, then get back to building wealth.”

At first, this sounded like the opposite of what most people would advise.
If you’re already traveling, why not “make it worth it” and stay longer?

The answer: The longer you’re away, the more you miss out on opportunities to earn, grow, and create.

💡 This revealed a bigger truth:

  • Frugality = Being intentional with your resources

  • Cheapness = Avoiding spending at all costs, even if it hurts quality, relationships, and opportunities

🍽️ The Football Game Example: How Cheapness Hurts Relationships

Picture this: you’re at a football game potluck.
Everyone’s brought something—homemade dishes, barbecue, snacks—except for one person.

They show up empty-handed… but don’t hesitate to load up their plate with everyone else’s food.

How does that make you feel? Probably not very generous toward them.

I realized I had fallen into this trap.
Trying to “save money,” I sometimes brought the cheapest thing possible—a 12-pack of soda or a bag of chips—while enjoying the gourmet spreads others had prepared.

💡 What I didn’t realize: this “saving” was costing me connections.

🎯 Choosing Fewer Events, But Showing Up With Your Best

Instead of going to every event (thanks, FOMO 🙃) and bringing the bare minimum, I started to:

  1. Attend fewer gatherings

  2. Show up with my best effort — a special dish I had learned to make, something memorable that showed I cared

The results:

  • 👀 People noticed the effort

  • 💬 Conversations changed

  • 🤝 I met new people and formed deeper connections

This wasn’t just about food — it was about showing up with value in any situation.

🏆 Why Nobody Likes a Cheapskate

One of the most valuable lessons I ever learned:

“Nobody likes a cheapskate.”

It’s not about how much money you spend — it’s about the energy you bring.

  • Cheapness signals: 🚫 Scarcity • Fear • Self-interest

  • Generosity signals: ✅ Abundance • Confidence • Openness

Opportunities naturally flow toward people who signal abundance — in business, friendships, and life.

💡 The FOMO Trap and How It Keeps You Broke

In my younger days, I went to almost every event — sometimes showing up early to not miss a thing.

Looking back, I realized that if I had been more strategic, I would have:

  • 💸 Saved money

  • 🔋 Avoided burnout

  • 🎯 Focused on high-value connections

Saying “yes” to everything spreads you too thin.
Wealthy people are selective — quality > quantity in events, friendships, investments, and vacations.

🌱 The Ripple Effect of Generosity

When you show up prepared, generous, and thoughtful, you create a ripple effect:

  • 🧠 People remember effort — Care makes you stand out.

  • 🤝 Generosity builds trust — Giving without expecting instant return creates collaboration.

  • 💪 It changes your self-image — You see yourself as someone who brings value.

These qualities translate directly into wealth-building opportunities.

🚫 How to Avoid Falling Into the Cheapness Trap

  1. Be Selective – Only attend events where you can bring real value.

  2. Invest in Quality – Spend on things that enrich your life and relationships.

  3. Think ROI – Ask: “Will this pay me back in growth, opportunities, or relationships?”

  4. Stop Over-Saving – Hoarding out of fear limits opportunities.

  5. Bring Your Best – Always show up ready to contribute something meaningful.

📈 From Scarcity to Abundance: The Mindset Shift

  • Scarcity mindset = Avoiding loss

  • Abundance mindset = Creating value

When you give strategically and thoughtfully, more comes back to you.

📝 Final Thoughts

Being cheap might save you a few dollars short-term, but it costs you far more long-term:

  • ❌ Missed connections

  • ❌ Lost opportunities

  • ❌ Stunted growth

Instead, be generous and strategic.
When you do show up, bring your best.

💡 Remember: Nobody likes a cheapskate — but everybody remembers someone who shows up with value.